Meet Frankenstein’s Creature and De Lacey

We dropped in on rehearsals late last week, taking the opportunity to meet and speak with Year 13’s Xander and Phoebe, playing the parts of Creature and De Lacey in this year’s Sixth Form production of Frankenstein which will be performed in our Seckford Theatre on 20 and 21 November.

Going through a specific scene, taking time to consider the delivery of their lines, vocally and physically in terms of their movement on stage and gestures, Xander and Phoebe treated us to a sneak preview of what we are all in store for!

Xander plays the part of Creature, the monster created by Dr Frankenstein – it’s a common misconception to think of Creature as Frankenstein, but he was indeed the monster created by Frankenstein himself. Watching Xander rehearse on stage it’s clear to see the hard work he’s already put into researching and discovering more about how he wants to play this character; the scene an early one, yet we already see that Creature has evolved enough to begin speaking and trying to understand the world.

Xander shared,

“I’ve been really thinking about the development of Creature in these early scenes, when he’s born he has no co-ordination, he can’t speak or even move properly, and so I need to make sure this comes across and is communicated to the audience. My thoughts have been about where he might have got the sounds he’s learned to make, what has influenced him to this point in this particular scene and how he’s going to evolve on stage from here.”

He continued,

“I’ve been progressively developing his voice to match his delayed physicality, it’s been a real challenge, but one I’m enjoying.”

He added,

“I have to be ambivalent about my character though, I’ve such sympathy for him, he’s not born evil but the world makes him exactly that, he’s entirely a product of social forces because he knew nothing when he was born so had learned how to scheme, how to be violent – from watching those around him. He and his actions aren’t excusable, but I do understand why he behaves this way, it’s because of how he’s been treated by others – he’s a character of betrayal.”

Phoebe added here,

“I agree, you’re completely on his side – until the end, you can’t help but have sympathy for him, and you do find yourself understanding the choices he makes.”

Continuing to talk to us about her character De Lacey, Phoebe said,

“He’s like a Father figure to Creature, known him since his moment of creation, knows everything he’s faced because of the way he looks and behaves, yet he feels love and sympathy for him, and I want to make sure that comes across in the performance.”

She added,

“My biggest challenge is the my character is blind. In terms of acting this part, the first thing you’re taught about performing is the importance of eye contact and engagement – so it’s almost as though I have to forget that completely. How am I going to overcome this? I’m going to spend some time with a blindfold on while rehearsing my lines, so I can be sure that my movements reinforce that part of the character, making sure I don’t look at objects as I pick them up for example – because he wouldn’t have. The biggest reason for wanting to embrace the blindness is that I feel it’s so relative to the play as a whole; because he’s never seen Creature, he doesn’t have the same prejudice as those who can, he cares for him – in fact I think he loves him like a child, well that is, until he’s murdered by him!”

She continued,

“I think the audience will be conflicted about their feelings for Creature too – it’s inevitable, they’ll want to love him, think De Lacey is a good person – but then they will also think he’s a fool for trusting him as they’ll be able to see Creature turn into the monster he’s perceived to be! It’s going to be such a great production, I’m really excited to be part of it!”

Looking ahead we’ll be meeting with other cast members at rehearsals, hearing how they feel about their characters and the play overall.

Tickets will soon be available for both performances of Frankenstein, 20 and 21 November, we’ll share the link as soon as we can.